Is silicone harmful to the human body?

Feb 25, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

My friend is unhappy with her chest size and wants to undergo breast augmentation. I recommended she consider silicone implantation, but she is somewhat concerned about whether silicone might be harmful to the body. She would like to know if silicone is harmful to human health.

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Lu

Silicone is generally harmless to the human body. Silicone is a colorless and odorless chemical material primarily composed of silicon dioxide. It is chemically stable, resistant to both high and low temperatures, inherently non-toxic, and causes minimal irritation to the human body. For example, silicone is commonly used as a filling material in medical plastic surgery. These medical-grade silicone products have undergone rigorous biocompatibility testing to ensure that long-term implantation in the body will not trigger immune responses or other adverse reactions. Additionally, silicone exhibits good compatibility with human tissues and rarely causes immune rejection or inflammatory reactions.

However, caution should still be exercised when selecting and using silicone products. To ensure product safety, patients should choose medical-grade silicone products manufactured by reputable manufacturers and certified through proper channels, avoiding low-quality or inadequately tested silicone products. Inferior silicone may contain harmful impurities such as heavy metals and volatile organic compounds, which may pose health risks under long-term contact or specific conditions. To ensure safety, patients should also follow medical advice and instructions for proper use. Furthermore, silicone medical devices intended for long-term implantation, such as artificial joints, should be regularly checked as directed by a physician and replaced when necessary.